Passersby led an elderly couple to safety after a fire broke out in their upstairs front bedroom.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Selwyn Road, New Malden, after a fire alarm linked to a care line sounded at 2.50pm on Thursday, September 29.

Crews from New Malden and Surbiton arrived within minutes, and used a hose and breathing apparatus to put the fire out by 3.48pm.

No-one was injured in the fire, which is believed to have started by accident.

The bedroom was gutted and the first floor suffered smoke damage, but firefighters stopped the blaze spreading to the roof or other rooms.

They stayed at the scene until 6.20pm as they worked with Kingston Council and a neighbour to ensure the lady, who has dementia, and the man, who has mobility problems, were rehoused.

Crew manager David Stapley, from New Malden white watch, said: “There was not a lot of smoke at the windows. It was all bottled up – it was contained within the building.

“It had to be treated quite seriously. They were working hard in poor visibility on a very hot day.”

He said people should ensure they have working fire alarms fitted, and regularly check the batteries are working.

He also said people can phone 08000 284 428 for free fire safety advice and a smoke alarm from their local fire station.